Portable grinder

ABSTRACT

A portable grinder may include a side cover having inner threads and a cover receiving space, said inner threads used to engage with middle inner threads of a middle piece; a first grinding piece, one side of which having a plurality of first grinding protrusions and a plurality of through holes scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions; and the other side having a screening unit; a middle piece adapted to receive the first grinding piece and connect to a second grinding piece through a bearing; and a second grinding piece having a plurality of second grinding protrusions facing the first grinding protrusions, wherein substances to be grinded are disposed in a second receiving space between first and second grinding protrusions, and the first and second grinding protrusions of the portable grinder are driven by gravity to spin to grind the substances therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable grinder, and more particularly to a portable tobacco grinder in which the gravity triggers the movement of the grinder to grind the tobacco leaves therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several types of grinders to grind materials such as tobacco leaves used in cigarettes or pipes. At an early stage, user would simply crush tobacco leaves in their hands. With the advance of mechanical arts, the tobacco leaves can be grinded into smaller particles in mechanical devices. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,363 to Atkielski, it discloses a compact grinder for material used for cigarettes, and more particularly a small, compact grinder useful for materials used in cigarettes which is able to be carried in a woman's purse, automobile glove compartment and the like, and which is easily operated to provide freshly ground foreign particle free material for rolling cigarettes, as shown in FIG. 1. However, when the grinder is used, the user still has to manually operate the grinder, which may cause certain level of inconvenience to the user. Also, this grinder does not serve any entertainment purposes to the user while he/she is grinding the materials.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,167 to Namakian et al. discloses a portable leaf grinding device that is used to grind a substance such as a plurality of compacted leaves into a multiplicity of leaf particles. As shown in FIG, 2, the portable leaf grinding device is designed to manually grind a substance into particles and when a circular cap (12) is rotated, the blades on two grinding disks (46,62) interact with each other to produce the multiplicity leaf particles The particles can be immediately used or stored in a container (102) for later use. However, like Atkielski, the grinding device does not serve any entertainment purposes while the user is using the grinder, and the user has to spend efforts to manually grind the substances therein.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No.: 2012/0168544 to Chaoui et al. discloses a tobacco grinder with windows or plastic covered openings that provide visual access to the interior of the compartment in which the finely grinded tobacco is collected. As can be seen in FIG. 3, with these windows or plastic covered openings, the user is able to visually determine whether sufficient tobacco has been grinded without the burdensome task of repeatedly opening the compartment. Even though the user can have a visual access to the interior of the compartment of the tobacco grinder, similar to Atkielski and Namakian, the user still has to spend efforts to operate the tobacco grinder, and the grinder still fails to serve any entertainment purposes. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved grinding device that can not only save the user's efforts when grinding the materials therein, but also entertain the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable grinder that can not only save the user's efforts when grinding the materials therein, but also serve the entertainment purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a “yo-yo” style grinder to grind the substances therein, so that the user can operate the grinder and enjoy playing the yo-yo.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a yo-yo style grinder to more efficiently grind the substances therein, wherein the grinding process can be repeated several times when the yo-yo grinder goes back and forth.

In one aspect, a portable grinder may include a side cover having inner threads and a cover receiving space, said inner threads used to engage with middle inner threads of a middle piece; a first grinding piece, one side of which having a plurality of first grinding protrusions and a plurality of through holes scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions, and the other side having a screening unit; a middle piece adapted to receive the first grinding piece and connect to a second grinding piece through a bearing; and a second grinding piece having a plurality of second grinding protrusions facing the first grinding protrusions, wherein substances to be grinded are disposed in a second receiving space between first and second grinding protrusions, and the first and second grinding protrusions of the portable grinder are driven by gravity to spin and grind the substances therebetween.

In one embodiment, a first receiving space is formed between the cover receiving space and the first grinding piece to receive grinded substances, and the grinded substances are screened by the screening unit after passing through the through holes on the first grinding piece.

In another embodiment, the portable grinder further comprises a string, one end of which attached to a connecting portion of the portable grinder, and the user holds the other end to release and pull up the portable grinder to repeat the grinding process. In a further embodiment, the first and second grinding protrusions are made by sharp metals to cut and grind the substances disposed therebetween. It is noted that the bearing of the middle piece provide friction between the middle piece and the second grinding piece, so that a spinning speed difference occurs to grind the substances therebetween.

In another aspect, a yo-yo grinder may include a pair of side covers, each having inner threads and a cover receiving space, said inner threads used to engage with middle inner threads of a corresponding middle piece; a pair of first grinding pieces, one side of each first grinding piece having a plurality of first grinding protrusions and a plurality of through holes scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions; and the other side having a screening unit; a pair of middle pieces adapted to receive said corresponding first grinding piece and connect to a corresponding second grinding piece through a bearing; and a pair of second grinding pieces having a plurality of second grinding protrusions facing the corresponding first grinding protrusions, wherein substances to be grinded are disposed in a second receiving space on both sides of the yo-yo grinder between said first and second grinding protrusions, and the first and second grinding protrusions of the yo-yo grinder are driven by gravity to spin and grind the substances therebetween.

In one embodiment, a first receiving space is formed between the cover receiving space and the first grinding piece on each side of the yo-yo grinder to receive grinded substances, and the grinded substances are screened by the screening unit after passing through the through holes on the first grinding piece.

In another embodiment, the portable grinder further comprises a string, one end of which attached to a connecting portion of the portable grinder, and the user holds the other end to release and pull up the portable grinder to repeat the grinding process. In a further embodiment, the first and second grinding protrusions are made by sharp metals to cut and grind the substances disposed therebetween.

Comparing with conventional leaf grinders, the present invention is advantageous because the user can easily and efficiently operate the yo-yo style grinder without spending too much effort. The user can simply hold the string at one end and releases the grinder, and the gravity would cause the grinder to spin down to drive the first grinding protrusions and the second grinding protrusions to grind the substances therebetween. The user can then pull the yo-yo style grinder up, and the grinder would spin toward the other direction to drive the first and second grinding protrusions to grind again. The grinding process can be repeated when the user releases and pulls up the yo-yo style grinder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art disclosing a compact grinder for material used for cigarettes, which is able to be carried in a woman's purse or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art disclosing a portable leaf grinding device that is used to grind a substance such as a plurality of compacted leaves into a multiplicity of leaf particles.

FIG. 3 illustrates disclosing a tobacco grinder with windows or plastic covered openings that provide visual access to the interior of the compartment in which the finely grinded tobacco is collected. a schematic exploded view of the present invention coupled with a hose.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a portable “yo-yo” style grinder in the present invention.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 4 in the present invention.

FIG. 4 e illustrates an exploded view of FIG. 4 where the substances can be filled on both sides of the “yo-yo” style grinder in the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a two-dimensional view of the “yo-yo” style grinder in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

In order to further understand the goal, characteristics and effect of the present invention, a number of embodiments along with the drawings are illustrated as following:

Referring to FIGS. 4, 4 a, 4 b and 5, the present invention provides a portable grinder 400 including a side cover 410, a first grinding piece 420, a middle piece 430, a second grinding piece 440 and a string 460. The side cover 410 is circular having inner threads 411 and a cover receiving space 412, wherein the inner threads 411 are used to engage with middle inner threads 431 of the middle piece 430, and a first receiving space 413 to contain grinded substances is formed by the cover receiving space 412 and the first grinding piece 420.

The first grinding piece 420, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 c and 4 d, has a screening unit 423 and a protruding portion 424 on one side, wherein the protruding portion 424 is circular and defines a circular receiving space to receive the screening unit 423. In one embodiment, the screening unit 423 is a sieve with a plurality of small openings and the size of the openings can be changed according to the user's preference. On the other side, the first grinding piece 420 has a plurality of first grinding protrusions 421 and a plurality of through holes 422 scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions 421, so the grinded substances can be screened by the screening unit 423 after passing the through holes 422 and collected in the first receiving space 413. The size of the grinded substances can be controlled by the size of the openings of the screening unit 423. It is noted that the outer diameter of the first grinding piece 420 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the middle piece 430, so the first grinding piece 420 can fit into a middle receiving space 433 of the middle piece 430, and the substances to be grinded can be placed in a second receiving space 435 (See FIG. 5) between the first grinding protrusions 421 and second grinding protrusions 441. Both first and second grinding protrusions (421, 441) are made by sharp metals adapted to cut and grind the substances therebetween into smaller pieces. More specifically, the first grinding protrusions 421 fit into a through opening 432 of the middle piece 430 to align with the second grinding protrusions 441 to more efficiently grind the substances therebetween.

In an exemplary embodiment, the portable grinder 400 can be a “yo-yo” style grinder. One end of the string 460 is tightened at a connecting portion 450 (See FIG. 5) of the portable grinder 400, and the user can hold the other end of the string 460 and operate the portable grinder 400 as playing a “yo-yo.” When in use, the substances to be grinded, such as tobacco leaves, are placed in the second receiving space 435 between the first grinding protrusions 421 and second grinding protrusions 441. After engaging the side cover 410 with the middle piece 430, the user can hold the string 460 and release the portable grinder 400. As can be seen in FIG. 4, when the “yo-yo” style grinder 400 is released, the grinder 400 drops down due to the gravity and meanwhile, the gravity-induced movement drives the entire grinder 400 to spin including the side cover 410, the first grinding piece 420, the middle piece 430, the second grinding piece 440. More particularly, when the middle piece 430 and the second grinding piece 440 are spinning, the first grinding protrusions 421 on the first grinding piece 420 and the second grinding protrusions 441 on the second grinding piece 440 start to grind the substances therebetween into smaller pieces. The yo-yo style grinder 400 can be pulled up by the user and the grinding process continues while the grinder 400 spins towards the other direction. Under these circumstances, the grinding process can be repeated as the user plays the yo-yo grinder 400, which not only serves the purpose of grinding, but also the purpose of entertainment.

It is noted that a bearing 434 is located at a bottom portion of the middle piece to connect with the second grinding piece 440. The bearing 434 provide friction between the middle piece 430 and the second grinding piece 440, which causes the second grinding piece 440 to spin faster than the middle piece 430. Because of the difference of the spinning speed, the substances disposed in the second receiving space 435 can be efficiently grinded into smaller pieces. The largest spinning speed difference may occur when the user just pull up the grinder 400. For example, the portable grinder 400 may spin clockwise when the user releases it and when it is pulled up, the spinning direction of the second grinding piece 440 suddenly changes to counterclockwise, while the middle piece 430 still maintains its momentum to spin clockwise. At this moment, the portable grinder 400 achieves its highest grinding efficiency due to the largest spinning speed difference between the second grinding piece 440 and the middle piece 430.

While the substances (e.g. tobacco leaves) are being grinded, the grinded portions become smaller particles that may be able pass the screening unit 423 through the through holes 422 on the first grinding piece 420. The grinded portions can then be collected and stored in the first receiving space 413 (See FIG. 5).

In still an exemplary embodiment, the grinding process can be conducted on both sides of the yo-yo style grinder 400.' As shown in FIG. 4 e, the yo-yo style grinder 400′ has a pair of side covers (410, 410′), a pair of first grinding pieces (420, 420′), a pair of middle pieces (430, 430′) and a pair of second grinding pieces (440, 440′), which are symmetrically located on both sides of the grinder 400′. Under these circumstances, the grinding process can be more efficient because the user can place the substances into the second receiving spaces (435, 435′) on both sides, and when the user releases the yo-yo grinder 400′, the first grinding protrusions (421, 421′) and the second grinding protrusions (441, 441′) start to grind the substances therebetween. The grinding process continues when the user pulls up the yo-yo grinder 400′, and repeats when the user releases the yo-yo grinder 400′ again. Also, the bearings (434, 434′) of the middle piece (430, 430′) provide friction between the middle piece and the second grinding piece (440, 440′), so that a spinning speed difference occurs to grind the substances therebetween, and the highest grinding efficiency may occur when the yo-yo grinder 400 is just pulled up as explained above.

Likewise, during the grinding process, the grinded substances passing through the screening units (423, 423′) are collected in the first receiving spaces (413, 413′). In addition to serving entertainment purposes, the user can easily and efficiently operate the yo-yo style grinder 400′ without spending too much effort. The user can hold the string at one end and releases the grinder 400′, and the gravity would cause the grinder 400′ to spin down to drive the first grinding protrusions (421, 421′) and the second grinding protrusions (441, 441′) to grind the substances therebetween. The user can then pull the yo-yo style grinder 400′ up, and the grinder 400′ would spin toward the other direction to drive the first and second grinding protrusions to grind in a similar manner. The grinding process can be repeated when the user releases and pulls up the yo-yo style grinder 400′ again. It is noted that the grinder 400′ can be more efficient than the grinder 400 illustrated previously since the substances to be grinded can be filled on both sides of the grinder 400′.

Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable grinder comprising: a side cover having inner threads and a cover receiving space, said inner threads used to engage with middle inner threads of a middle piece; a first grinding piece, one side of which having a plurality of first grinding protrusions and a plurality of through holes scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions, and the other side having a screening unit; a middle piece adapted to receive the first grinding piece and connect to a second grinding piece through a bearing; and a second grinding piece having a plurality of second grinding protrusions facing the first grinding protrusions, wherein substances to be grinded are disposed in a second receiving space between said first and second grinding protrusions, and the first and second grinding protrusions of the portable grinder are driven by gravity to spin and grind the substances therebetween.
 2. The portable grinder of claim 1, wherein a first receiving space is formed between the cover receiving space and the first grinding piece to receive grinded substances.
 3. The portable grinder of claim 2, wherein the grinded substances are screened by the screening unit after passing through the through holes on the first grinding piece.
 4. The portable grinder of claim 1, wherein the portable grinder further comprises a string, one end of which attached to a connecting portion of the portable grinder, and the user holds the other end to release and pull up the portable grinder to repeat the grinding process.
 5. The portable grinder of claim 1, wherein the first and second grinding protrusions are made by sharp metals to cut and grind the substances disposed therebetween.
 6. The portable grinder of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first grinding piece is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the middle piece, so the first grinding piece is able to fit into a middle receiving space of the middle piece.
 7. A portable grinder comprising: a pair of side covers, each having inner threads and a cover receiving space, said inner threads used to engage with middle inner threads of a corresponding middle piece; a pair of first grinding pieces, one side of each first grinding piece having a plurality of first grinding protrusions and a plurality of through holes scattered at various locations between the first grinding protrusions, and the other side having a screening unit; a pair of middle pieces adapted to receive said corresponding first grinding piece and connect to a corresponding second grinding piece through a bearing; and a pair of second grinding pieces having a plurality of second grinding protrusions facing the corresponding first grinding protrusions, wherein substances to be grinded are disposed in a second receiving space on both sides of the portable grinder between said first and second grinding protrusions, and the first and second grinding protrusions of the portable grinder are driven by gravity to spin and grind the substances therebetween.
 8. The portable grinder of claim 7, wherein a first receiving space is formed between the cover receiving space and the first grinding piece on each side of the portable grinder to receive grinded substances.
 9. The portable grinder of claim 8, wherein the grinded substances are screened by the screening unit after passing through the through holes on the first grinding piece.
 10. The portable grinder of claim 7, wherein the portable grinder further comprises a string, one end of which attached to a connecting portion of the grinder, and the user holds the other end to release and pull up the grinder to repeat the grinding process.
 11. The portable grinder of claim 7, wherein the first and second grinding protrusions are made by sharp metals to cut and grind the substances disposed therebetween.
 12. The portable grinder of claim 7, wherein an outer diameter of the first grinding piece is slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the middle piece, so the first grinding piece is able to fit into a middle receiving space of the middle piece.
 13. The portable grinder of claim 2, wherein the screening unit is a sieve with a plurality of small openings and the size of the grinded substances is controlled by the size of the small openings of the screening unit.
 14. The portable grinder of claim 8, wherein the screening unit is a sieve with a plurality of small openings and the size of the grinded substances is controlled by the size of the small openings of the screening unit.
 15. The portable grinder of claim 1, wherein the bearing of the middle piece provide friction between the middle piece and the second grinding piece, so that a spinning speed difference occurs to grind the substances therebetween.
 16. The portable grinder of claim 15, wherein the largest spinning speed difference occurs at the moment when the portable grinder is just pulled up.
 17. The portable grinder of claim 7, wherein the bearing of the middle piece provide friction between the middle piece and the second grinding piece, so that a spinning speed difference occurs to grind the substances therebetween.
 18. The portable grinder of claim 17, wherein the largest spinning speed difference occurs at the moment when the portable grinder is just pulled up. 